Aneurysm Sealing Device

ABSTRACT

A device useful for treating an aneurysm having a neck comprises a first inflatable disc and a second inflatable disc, said second inflatable disc being adjacent to said first inflatable disc and in fluid communication therewith. The inflatable discs are sized and constructed such that when the inflatable discs are inflated, the aneurysm neck is engaged there between. The inflatable discs may include at least one wall that is substantially inelastic and may include an internal member limiting expansion of the inflatable disc in a direction parallel to the device axis. The inflatable discs may have an aspect ratio greater than 3.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/760,983 filed Jan. 23, 2006, which is incorporated herein byreference. Priority is also claimed to non-provisional application Ser.No. 11/562,475, entitled Aneurysm Sealing Device, filed Nov. 22, 2006,and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Thisapplication is a divisional application of the non-provisionalapplication Ser. No. 11/562,475.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for treating avascular aneurysm. More specifically, the present invention relates to amethod of using a pair of inflatable discs that engage the aneurysmopening between the discs so as to seal the aneurysm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vascular aneurysm typically occurs when there is localized stretchingor distension of an artery due to a weakening of the vessel wall. Thevascular distension itself is often referred to as an aneurysm sac. Theopening from the vessel to the aneurysm sack is often referred as theaneurysm neck. Often an aneurysm can be the site of internal bleedingand, if the aneurism ruptures, the site of a stroke.

Several methods for treating aneurysms have been attempted, with varyingdegrees of success. For example, surgical or extravascular approachesare common in the treatment of intra-cranial berry aneurysms; these arestraightforward but fairly traumatic. The method involves removing aportion of the cranium and locating the aneurysm. The neck of theaneurysm is typically closed by applying a specially sized clip to theneck of the aneurysm. The surgeon may choose to perform a sutureligation of the neck or wrap the entire aneurysm. Each of theseprocedures is performed by a very intrusive invasion into the body andis performed from the outside of the aneurysm or target site. Generalanesthesia, craniotomy, brain retraction, and a placement of clip aroundthe neck of the aneurysm all are traumatic. The surgical procedure isoften delayed while waiting for the patient to stabilize medically. Forthis reason, many patients die from the underlying disease prior to theinitiation of the surgical procedure.

Another procedure, the extra-intravascular approach, involves surgicallyexposing or stereotaxically reaching an aneurysm with a probe. The wallof the aneurysm is perforated from the outside and various techniquesare used to occlude the interior of the aneurysm to prevent it frombleeding. The techniques used to occlude the aneurysm includeelectro-thrombosis, adhesive embolization, hoghair embolization, andferromagnetic thrombosis.

Alternative treatments include endovascular occlusion, in which theaneurysm is entered with a guidewire or a microcatheter, which is thenused to emplace an occluding means. The occluding means is typically anembolic device, such as one or more coils or other devices, or an amountof an in situ polymerizable compound. An occlusion is formed within thesac, which is intended to reduce blood flow into the aneurysm. Becauseitems are being placed in the aneurysm sack, there is a risk that thesac will be overfilled; that some of emplaced devices may migrate intothe parent vessel; and/or that the aneurysm sack may be damaged duringthe process. Aneurysms that have a wide opening between the aneurysm sacand the parent vessel are particularly difficult to treat.

Another disadvantage of detachable coils involves coil compaction overtime. After filling the aneurysm, there remains space between the coils.Continued hemodynamic forces from the circulation act to compact thecoil mass resulting in a cavity in the aneurysm neck. Thus the aneurysmcan recanalize. In addition, aneurysms that have a wide opening betweenthe aneurysm sac and the parent vessel are difficult to treat. This isparticularly true of bifurcation aneurysms such as basilar tipaneurysms.

Another means for forming an occluding mass in an aneurysm sac involvesthe placement of an elastic inflatable disc in the aneurysm. Detachableocclusion inflatable discs are used in many types of medical procedures.These inflatable discs are typically carried at the end of a catheterand, once inflated, are detached from the catheter. Such an inflatabledisc may be positioned within an aneurysm, filled and then detached fromthe catheter. Besides delivery complications, elastic inflatable discsmay be subject to overfilling, which may rupture the aneurysm. Likewise,if the inflatable disc is under-filled, the result may be incompleteocclusion of the aneurysm.

Conventional detachable balloons also suffer disadvantages. For example,detachable balloons, when inflated, typically do not conform to theinterior configuration of the aneurysm sac. Instead, the detachableballoon requires the aneurysm sac to conform to the exterior surface ofthe detachable balloon. Thus, there is an increased risk that thedetachable balloon will rupture the sac of the aneurysm. Further,because they engage the aneurysm only poorly, detachable balloons canrupture and migrate out of the aneurysm.

Another means for treating vascular aneurysms involves the placement ofa liner in the aneurysm sac. An aneurysm liner includes a liner sac thatis placed in the aneurysm sac and filled so as to occlude the aneurysm.A guidewire is typically utilized to carry the liner through thevasculature and to assist in deploying the liner in the aneurysm. Whilethe aneurysm liner concept is intuitively attractive, it has posed anumber of technical challenges. One primary challenge involves thedifficulty in producing a material that is robust enough to containembolic material without inhibiting the ability of the embolic device toconform to the aneurysm geometry itself, rather than the geometry of theliner. In many instances, materials currently incorporated into aneurysmliner concepts are not compliant enough to adequately remodel the neckportion of an aneurysm sac. This disadvantage can lead to neck remnantsand subsequently recanalization after embolization.

Most current aneurysm liners are physically inconvenient orinappropriate for treatment of large aneurysms. For example, many linerconcepts involve forming the aneurysm liner of a woven or braidedpolymeric material such as polypropylene or polyester. These meshmaterials are difficult to use in treating medium to large sizeaneurysms, for example, aneurysms 5-20 millimeters in diameter. Suchmesh materials result in an assembly that is too bulky when collapseddown into the catheter for delivery. In other words, the amount of linermaterial required to fill a relatively large aneurysm is very difficultto collapse down into a constrained, low profile, delivery configurationsmall enough to be delivered and deployed without excess friction on thewalls of the delivery catheter or other delivery lumen. The bulkiness ofthese devices makes them inconvenient or inappropriate for intra-cranialdelivery.

Various other methods and devices are known in the art. However,currently none produces a satisfactory method for closing the aneurysmopening. Thus, it remains desirable to provide devices that can readilyand consistently be placed in an aneurysm opening so as to close theopening without damaging the vessel or risking damage to the aneurysmsack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an aneurysm treatment device for treatinganeurysms, including wide and narrow-necked aneurysms, side-wall andbifurcation aneurysms, and aneurysms of different sizes.

In some embodiments, the invention comprises a device for treating ananeurysm in a blood vessel, the aneurysm having a neck and a sack, wherethe device includes a first inflatable disc and a second inflatabledisc, the second inflatable disc being adjacent to the first inflatabledisc and in fluid communication therewith, wherein the first and secondinflatable discs are sized and constructed such that when one inflatabledisc is positioned in the aneurysm sack and the discs are inflated, theaneurysm neck is engaged there between. Fluid flow between said firstand second inflatable discs may be by means of a fluid passageway thatincludes a one-way valve. The device may include a guide wire on whichsaid inflatable discs are mounted during placement. Each of said firstand second inflatable discs preferably includes an inner wall and anouter wall. In preferred embodiments, at least one of said walls issubstantially inelastic and at least one of said inner walls is elastic.

The invention also includes a method for treating an aneurysm in a bloodvessel, the aneurysm having a neck and a sack, the method comprising:providing a device comprising a first inflatable disc and a secondinflatable disc, said second inflatable disc being adjacent to the firstinflatable disc and in fluid communication therewith; positioning thedevice at an aneurysm such that one inflatable disc is positioned in theaneurysm sack; and inflating the first and second inflatable discs suchthat the aneurysm neck is engaged there between.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more detailed description of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a device constructed in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an oblique schematic top view of the device of FIG. 1 in aninflated state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the device of FIG. 1 mounted on acatheter;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7(A)-(F) are sequential schematic views of the device of FIG. 1being deployed at an aneurysm opening; and

FIGS. 8(A)-(F) are sequential schematic views of an alternativeembodiment of the device being deployed at an aneurysm opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device 10 constructed inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention includes a proximalinflatable disc 11 and a distal inflatable disc 12, which are connectedby a channel 32. Proximal disc comprises an inner wall 13 and an outerwall 14. Inner and outer walls 13, 14 are each preferably made of aninelastic material and are preferably constructed of a biocompatiblematerial such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Similarly, distal inflatable disc 12 comprises an inner wall 20 and anouter wall 19. Like outer wall 14, outer wall 19 is preferablyconstructed of an inelastic material, while inner wall 20 is preferablyconstructed of a semi-elastic or resilient material.

In preferred embodiments, the inner and outer walls of proximal anddistal discs 13, 20 are preferably substantially curved so as to form anoverall device that is concave when viewed from the distal end, fortreatment of bifurcation aneurysms. In alternative embodiments, discs13, 20 can be substantially planar for treatment of side-walls aneurysm.This configuration allows the device to conform to the vascular anatomyand the angle of the neck, which not only allows the closure of theaneurysm neck with minimal trauma, but also allow the outer surface ofthe device facing the parent artery to act as a flow modifier whichdecrease the hemodynamic effect of the flowing blood on the wall of theartery.

Thus, inner walls 13, 20 are preferably substantially planar, but canalternatively be more or less curved so as to form an overall devicethat is concave when viewed from the distal end. Outer walls 14, 19 arepreferably each concave, or saucer shaped, so that the perimeter of eachinflatable disc is defined where outer walls 14, 19 meet inner walls 13,20, respectively. The concave shape of outer walls 14, 19, can be formedusing partial spherical surfaces, frustoconical surfaces, parabolicsurfaces, and variations thereof. The perimeter of each inflatable disc11, 12, is sealed by fusing the two inner walls 13, 20 together so as toform a seal there between. It will be understood that, in someinstances, the inner and outer walls may be formed of a single piece ofmaterial, in which case the terms “inner” and “outer” are indicative ofthe relative positions of the walls.

In many instances, it is desirable to minimize the disruption of bloodflow through the main vessel that is caused by the aneurysm sealingdevice. Thus, in some embodiments, the perimeter and/or edges of thepresent device are constructed so as to provide gently curved interfaceswith the adjacent vessel wall so that blood flow past the device issubstantially laminar. By providing a smooth profile on the flow side ofthe device, blood flow past the device is enhanced. In addition theedges of the present devices may be constructed and/or treated so as toencourage intimal growth of the surrounding tissue, which would enhanceretention of the device in the desired location.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), outer walls 14, 19 aresubstantially planar and are sealed to inner walls 13, 20 at the outeredge of each inflatable disc by a circumferential member extendingbetween each pair of walls. It will be understood that the preciseconfiguration and method of constructing the present device is notlimited to those methods and configurations described herein.

Between each pair of inner and outer walls, within the volume of eachinflatable disc, at least one web 16 connects the inner surfaces of thewalls. In certain embodiments a plurality of webs 16 is included withineach disc. Webs 16 are preferably constructed of a substantiallyinelastic material and are preferably extend in a generally longitudinaldirection, so that they prevent each inflatable disc from expanding morethan a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction. Similarly,the substantially planar and inelastic nature of inner walls 13, 20,prevents the inflatable discs from excessive expansion in the radialdirection. Thus, the construction of each inflatable disc ensures thatit will expand to substantially the shape illustrated in the figures, ora predetermined variation thereof, and to a predetermined volume. Forexample, in many embodiments, the maximum longitudinal length of eachdisc (along the tool axis) may be 1 mm or less, e.g. less than 25% ofthe diameter of the parent artery and the sac of the aneurysm.Similarly, the maximum horizontal diameter is preferably at least 2 mmlarger than the diameter of the neck so that it can completely span theneck of the aneurysm and extend for at least 1 mm beyond the neck, so asto engage the surrounding tissue.

In certain embodiments, each inflatable disc is substantially diskshaped or saucer shaped when in its inflated state. More specifically,each inflatable disc has a substantially circular perimeter and anaspect ratio greater than 3. In preferred embodiments, each inflatabledisc may have an aspect ratio greater than 4 or greater than 5. In otherembodiments, the perimeters of each inflatable disc may be other thancircular, such as elliptical or oval. In other embodiments, one or bothinflatable discs may be selected from a range of inflatable disc sizesand/or shapes, or may be custom-made to fit a particular aneurysm orother vascular malformation.

Proximal disc 11 is preferably in fluid communication with a first lumen23 of a delivery catheter 30 via a detachable valve 18, break awayconnection or a simple quick connection. An exemplary valve is aself-closing membrane similar to those found in needle injection portsof intravenous fluid bags. Fluid can be injected into disc 11 via lumen23, thereby inflating disc 11.

According to one embodiment, proximal disk 11 is preferably alsoattached to and in fluid communication with distal disc 12 through apressure controlled one-way valve 17, which opens when the pressuredifference between proximal disc 11 and distal disc 12 exceeds apredetermined level, whereupon fluid is allowed to flow from proximaldisc 11 into distal disc 12. In this manner distal disc 12 can beinflated without deflating proximal disc 11. Because valve 17 allowsfluid flow only when the pressure differential between the discs exceedsa predetermined value, flow into distal disc will correspond toincreases in pressure in proximal disc 11. Therefore, if the injectionof fluid into disc 11 is incremental, fluid flow into distal disc 12will likewise be incremental.

It will be understood that various other means could be used to inflatethe discs. For example each disc could be provided with its own fluiddelivery lumen. In this embodiment, inflation and deflation of each discwould be independent of the level of inflation of the other disc.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the delivery catheter is preferably providedwith a second lumen 25, which may be adjacent to or concentric withfirst lumen 23. Second lumen 25 provides a passageway for a guide wire,as described below. Second lumen 25 preferably terminates adjacent tothe proximal side of proximal disc, where it aligns with an artificiallumen 26 that is formed, prior to deployment of the device, by foldingor rolling deflated discs 11, 12 so as to define an axial passageway forthe guidewire. Deflated discs 11, 12 can each be folded or rolled ineither a proximal or distal direction, as desired.

When it is desired to treat an aneurysm using the present device 10, apositioning microwire 29 (shown in phantom) is inserted through secondlumen 25 so that it extends distally beyond distal inflatable disc 12.Both inflatable discs are in their collapsed states. The positioningwire 29 is threaded to the site of the aneurysm and fluoroscopic imagingis used to position the wire 29 such that its tip is at or in theaneurysm and the distal disc is within the aneurysm, as shown in FIG.7(A). At this point, fluid, which may be a polymerizable compound, ispumped through lumen 23 and flows into proximal disc 11, causing it toinflate and assume its expanded state, as shown in FIG. 7(B). Beforeproximal disc 11 is fully inflated, device 10 is preferably advancedalong wire 29 until proximal disc 11 is placed against the neck of theaneurysm, as shown in FIG. 7(C). At the point, the aneurysm is at leastpartially sealed. If desired, sealing of the neck can be verified byinjecting contrast proximal the device while keeping proximal disk 11against the neck of the aneurysm. If no contrast enters the aneurysm, itis sealed.

Additional fluid can then be pumped into device 10, where it entersproximal disc 11. When proximal disc 11 is full, valve 17 opens,allowing fluid to enter distal disc 12. As additional fluid is added,distal disc 12 expands within the aneurysm until it has assumed itsfinal shape, as shown in FIG. 7(D). Once distal disc 12 is full, theaddition of a small amount of fluid will cause the semi-elastic innerwall 20 to stretch or deform slightly toward proximal disc 11, therebyfirmly engaging the neck of the aneurysm around the perimeter of device10 as shown in FIG. 7(E). The engagement of the aneurysm neck betweenthe inflatable discs of the device seals the neck and reinforces theadjacent weak vessel wall.

The injected material is preferably a fluid, such as a flowablepolymeric material that, when injected into the channels, solidifies insitu by, for example, a change in pH or ionic concentration of thepolymer, exposure to organic solvents, introduction of a secondarymaterial capable of precipitation, or exposure of the material in theone or more channels to heat or light, for example, a laser. Theoccluder maybe hardened through a cooperative effect of coagulation,precipitation, or ionization of the patient's blood in the region of theoccluder. Likewise, the fluid may be a polymer, or may include apolymer, monomer, cross-linkers, and/or initiators. The polymerizationsystem can be converted to a semi-solid, e.g., a hydrogel, or to a solidafter its introduction into the channel. Examples of polymers andpolymerization systems useful in the practice of the invention include,but are not limited to, polyphosphazenes, polyethylene glycols,polybutadienes, polyacrylates, polydiacrylates, polyurethanes,polyacrylamides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, collagen, carbohydrates such aschitosan, polylysines, polylactic acids, and combinations.

Once the desired amount of fluid has been placed in the device, thecatheter is disconnected from the device as shown in FIG. 7(F). Thepolymer, if used, hardens with the device, rendering it rigid andpermanent.

In an alternative embodiment, outer walls 14, 19 and inner wall 20 areconstructed of an inelastic material, but inner wall 13 is constructedof a semi-elastic or resilient material. Valve 17 is again provided, butin this embodiment allows fluid to flow from distal inflatable disc 12into proximal inflatable disc 11. Similarly, lumen 23 is in fluidcommunication with distal inflatable disc 12, rather than proximalinflatable disc 11.

When it is desired to treat an aneurysm using this embodiment of thepresent device, the device is again guided into position using microwire29. The positioning wire 29 is threaded to the site of the aneurysm andfluoroscopic imaging is used to position the wire 29 such that its tipis at or in the aneurysm and the distal disc is within the aneurysm, asshown in FIG. 8(A). At this point, a fluid, which may be a polymerizablecompound, is pumped through lumen 23 and flows into distal disc 12,causing it to inflate and assume its expanded state, as shown in FIG.8(B). Before distal disc 12 is fully inflated, device 10 is preferablyretracted slightly along wire 29 until distal disc 12 is set against theneck of the aneurysm, as shown in FIG. 8(C). At the point, the aneurysmis at least partially sealed. If desired, sealing of the neck can beverified by injecting contrast proximal the device while keeping distaldisc 12 against the neck of the aneurysm. If no contrast enters theaneurysm, it is sealed.

Additional fluid can then be pumped into device 10, where it entersdistal disc 12. When the distal disc 12 is full, valve 17 opens,allowing fluid to enter proximal disk 11. As additional fluid is added,proximal disk 11 expands against the neck of the aneurysm until it hasassumed its final shape, as shown in FIG. 8(D). Once proximal disk 11 isfull, the addition of a small amount of fluid will cause thesemi-elastic inner wall 13 to stretch or deform slightly toward distaldisc 12, engaging the neck of the aneurysm around the perimeter ofdevice 10 as above as shown in FIG. 8(E). The engagement of the aneurysmneck between the inflatable discs of the device seals the neck andreinforces the adjacent weak vessel wall. The device can be disconnectedfrom the catheter and allowed to harden, if desired, as shown in FIG.8(F).

Several mechanisms help ensure that the present device can be deployedwithout damaging the surrounding vessel. The inelastic disc walls andinelastic webs prevent each disc from expanding beyond its desiredultimate shape. Similarly, use of a digital inflating device to injectthe fluid allows the continuous monitoring of the pressure inside theinflating disc. In addition, the use of a radio-opaque inflating fluidallows visual monitoring of the shape of the device. Each of theseallows close control of the disc size and placement.

Once deployed, the present devices remain and provide permanent closureof the aneurysm. Because the neck of the aneurysm is engaged between thetwo inflatable discs, the device is fixed in position. Likewise, becausethe device fully occludes the aneurysm neck, there is no fluid flow intothe aneurysm and it ceases to grow.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit or teaching of this invention. Theembodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting.Many variations and modifications of the system and apparatus arepossible and are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, thescope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein,but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shallinclude all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.

1. A method for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel, the aneurysmhaving a neck and a sack, the method comprising: a) providing a devicecomprising a first inflatable disc and a second inflatable disc, saidsecond inflatable disc being adjacent to said first inflatable disc andin fluid communication therewith wherein said first and secondinflatable discs comprise a plurality of webs made from substantiallyinelastic material and extending in a generally longitudinal directionconnecting the inner surfaces of disc walls so that the webs preventeach inflatable disc from expanding more than a predetermined amount; b)positioning the device at an aneurysm such that one inflatable disc ispositioned in the aneurysm sack; c) inflating said first and secondinflatable discs through a pressure controlled one-way valve controllingthe fluid communication between the first and second inflatable discsand comprising said valve opening when the pressure difference betweenthe first and second inflatable discs exceeds a predetermined level andwhereby the aneurysm neck is engaged between the first and second disc;and d) utilizing the webs made from substantially inelastic materialconnecting the inner surfaces of disc walls so that the webs preventeach inflatable disc from expanding more than a predetermined amount. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein step c) includes inflating first oneinflatable disc and positioning it adjacent to the aneurysm neck andthen inflating the second inflatable disc.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein step a) includes using a guide wire to position said inflatablediscs.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein each said first and secondinflatable discs includes an inner wall and an outer wall and wherein atleast one of said walls is substantially inelastic and does not deformduring step c).
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein each said first andsecond inflatable discs includes an inner wall and an outer wall,wherein at least one of said walls is substantially inelastic and doesnot deform during step c), and wherein at least one of said walls iselastic and deforms during step c).
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein atleast one of said first and second inflatable discs includes an innerwall and an outer wall and at least one inelastic internal memberextending between said inner wall and said outer wall so as to limitexpansion of said inflatable disc in a direction parallel to the deviceaxis during step d).
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one ofsaid first and second inflatable discs has an aspect ratio greater than3 of width to height.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein c) comprisesinjecting an injectable polymeric material into the first and secondinflatable disc, wherein the injectable polymeric material is capable ofsolidifying in situ.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the injectablepolymeric material comprises poly phosphazenes, polyethylene glycols,polybutadienes, polyacrylates, polydiacrylates, polyurethanes,polyacrylamides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, collagen, carbohydrates, orcombinations thereof.
 10. The method of claim 3 further comprisingfolding or rolling the first inflatable disc and the second inflatabledisc so as to define a passageway for the guidewire.